Switch



c. A. KOERNER EI'AL SWITCH Dec. 6, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12,1958 Dec. 6, 1960 SWITCH Filed Feb. 12, 1958 c. A. KOERNER ETAL 8Sheets-Sheet 2 VIII/1444; f

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Filed Feb; 12, 1958 s SheetsSheet 4 a a; INVENTOIiS. M, Mar 9 Mal/Jam WWDec 6; 19 c. A. KOERNER ETAL 2,963,560

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Dec. 6, 1960 c. A. KOERNER ETAL 2,963,560

-' SWITCH Filed Feb. 12, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS.

- MwZJM/Ym C. A. KOERNER ETAL SWITCH Dec. 6, 1960 2,963,560

Filed Feb. 12, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 2/ INVENTORS.

United States Patent '0 SWITCH Charles A. Koerner, Park Ridge, Oscar B.Alsaker, Bellwood, and Melvin R. Rathbun, Roselle, Ill., assignors toJames R. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of DelawareFiled Feb. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 714,744 8 Claims. (Cl. 200-48) 'Thisinvention relates, generally, to improvements and innovations indisconnecting switches of the type having :a flat or so-called beavertail male contact on the outer end of \a long tubular switch blade.

The blade of such a switch is rotatable about its longitudinal axis forturning the flat contact into and out of locking engagement with astationary female contact. In addition, the blades, which are normallyhorizontal when .in closed position, are swingable about their innerends .into approximately the vertical position so as to separate theflat outer contacts from the stationary female conxt-acts. Such switchesare normally used outdoors on high voltage systems and are generallyoperated in gangs of .three.

An important object of the invention is the provision of switches of thetype described which have materially increased load capacity, especiallyfor high momentary currents.

Another important object of the invention is the provision ofdisconnecting switches of the class described wherein the flattened malecontacts on the outer ends of .the blades are securely locked againstrelative movement :and lifting with respect to their stationary femalecon- :tacts, such locking action being three-fold: against liftfing;against downward movement; and, against rotation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of :such switcheswherein the magnetic forces created due :to current flow through theouter contacts tends to force or hold the switch blade down into theclosed and locked position rather than tending to lift or open theswitch.

Another important object of the invention is the provision ofdisconnecting switches of the type described 'wherein the rotarymovement of the switch blade about fits longitudinal axis is positivelysegregated from the :swinging movement of the blade about a transverseaxis :adj'acent its inner end.

Still another object of the invention is a switch of the foregoing typein which the segregation or positive isola- 7 tion of the rotary actionand the swinging action of the switch blade is-obtained by means of acombined linkageactuated, cam-controlled arrangement.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of adisconnecting switch of the type described wherein an inner portion ofthe switch blade serves as a male contact for cooperation with a pair ofstationary female contacts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a disconnectingswitch of the type described having an improved front female contactstructure which provides magnetic locking features cooperable with otherlocking features incorporated in the switch whereby all relativemovement between the front male and female contacts is "eliminated whenthe switch is "closed andlocked.

A further object of the invention is a switch of the type describedhaving a stationary cam plate provided with a cam track in the form ofan elongated slot in two interconnected sections, with one pair of camsurfaces comprising one'side of oneslotsection and the diagonally2,963,560 Patented Dec. 6, 1960 opposed side of the other slot sectionbeing engaged'by a cam follower when the switch is opened and with theother pair of diagonally opposed cam surfaces being engaged by the camfollower when the switch is closed.

Certain other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious andwill in part appear hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of theinvention reference may now be had to the following detailed descriptionthereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a disconnecting switch embodyingone form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on enlarged scale, and partly broken away, ofthe left-hand or inner portion of the switch shown in Fig. l andincluding the operating mechanism thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the portion ofthe switch shown in Fig. 2, with the cover plate of the rotary housingbeing removed so as to show the interior;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, partly in end elevation, taken on line 4-4of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional. view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing thesocket support means for the inner end of the switch blade;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section, showing a counter-balanceand attaching brackets used in connection with the switch operatingmechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a portion of the switchoperating mechanism as viewed in Fig. 3 but with the parts shown in thepositions which they occupy at the point in the operation of the switchwhere there is a division or separation between the rotary movement ofthe switch blade and the swinging movement thereof;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 7 but showing the relationship ofthe parts when the switch blade is in its fully lifted and openposition;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view on enlarged scale taken on theline 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a vetrical sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view, on enlarged scale, of the frontmale and female contacts in closed position;

Fig. 12 is an inner elevational view, partly in section, of the frontcontacts shown in Fig. ll;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view, ,partly in end elevation, taken online 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 13 but showing theswitch blade in its rotated and unlocked position;

Fig. 15 is a View broken off at the bottom, taken on line 15-15 of Fig.12 showing the front clip casting which carries the front femalecontacts;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view on an enlarged scale taken online 16-16 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view taken on line 17-17 in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of a frame casting ,for the switch operatingmechanism with one of the counter balance mounting brackets attached;

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the combined rotary housing and socketsupport casting, with the front counter balance mounting bracketattached; and I Fig. 21 is a view on enlarged scale taken on line 21-21of Fig. 2.

Referring "first toFig. 1 of the drawings, a :beam "5 which may be intheform ,of a pair of channel members, serves to support a rotatableinsulator stack 6, a rear stationary insulator stack 7 and a frontstationary insulator stack 8. Only the upper and lower insulators ineach stack are shown in full line, it being understood that any suitablenumber of insulators, e.g., four, may be used in each stack. Thestationary insulator stacks 7 and 8 are supported on frusto-conicalbases 10 and 11 which rest on the top of the support 5, while therotatable stack 6 is mounted upon a shaft 12 which projects verticallythrough the left end of the base 5 and has a flat-sided wrench orcrank-receiving portion 13 on the lower end. Any suitable bearing meansof known type (not shown) may be used for rotatably supporting the shaft12.

The disconnecting switch means mounted on the tops of the insulatorstacks 6, 7 and 8 comprises; a frame casting 14; a tubular switch bladeor arm 15 usually formed of a copper pipe or tube; a front contactassembly indicated generally at 16; a pair of inner or hinge femalecontacts 17 which receive the inner end of the blade 15; the operatingmechanism for the switch blade indicated generally at 18; and, anoperating arm 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the disconnecting switch is in theclosed condition. In operation, to disconnect or open the switch, aswill be described in detail hereinafter, the operating mechanism 18 uponbeing actuated by the arm 20, serves first to rotate the blade 15 aboutits longitudinal axis so as to unlock the outer contact assembly 16, andthen without any further rotation of the blade 15 about its longitudinalaxis being permitted, it is caused to swing or lift in a vertical planeand about a transverse horizontal axis extending through the inner endof the blade.

Reference may now be had to Figs. 2 and 3, and particularly theleft-hand portions thereof, for a description of the means forsupporting and rotating the operating arm 20. It will be seen that it ismounted on the projecting upper end of a hollow shaft indicated at 21.The upper end of the shaft is hex-shaped for receiving the hexshaped eyeformed on the end of the arm 20. For convenience in installation the eyeis split at the outer end of the arm 20 so that it may be easily slippedover the hexshaped end of the shaft 21 and then tightened thereon bymeans of the bolt 22. The shaft 21 is exteriorly threaded adjacent thetop for receiving a nut 23 having a flange portion 24 at the bottomwhich rides upon ball bearings 25 which are retained in a groove formedin the upper end 28 of the vertical journal portion 26 (Figs. 1 and 20)of the casting 14. The nut 23 may be slotted or castellated at the upperend as indicated in Fig. 3 for receiving in inter-locking relationshipdownward projections 27 formed on the underside of the arm 26. The shaft21 engages with the ball bearings 25 for centering the shaft at theupper end, and at the bottom engages with a lower set of ball bearings30 retained in a raceway formed by a groove in the lower end 29 of thejournal portion 26 and a flange 31 projecting from the shaft 21. In thismanner the shaft 21 is centered for rotation at the bottom of thejournal 26. The bottom portion of the shaft 21 is designated at 32 andis provided at the bottom with a mounting flange 33 which fits over thetop of the upper insulator as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to restrict the rotary movement of the arm 20 between desiredangular limits, the shaft 21 is provided with a pair of projecting dogs34 and 35 (Figs. 2 and 3) which are adapted to engage from oppositesides a projection 36 integrally formed on the casting 14. The angularspacing of the dogs 34 and 35 is such that the arm 20 may be rotatedthrough an angle of approximately 110 degrees.

The projecting end of the arm 20 is provided with an eye 37 which isreceived between the spaced ears 3838 .of a universal joint member 40with a pin 41 providing the pivoted connection. The eye 42 of the member40 projects in between the spaced ears 43-43 of a second universal jointmember 44 provided with a socket end 45 which screws onto the adjacentend of a link or rod 46. A pin 47 serves to pivotally interconnect thetwo universal joint members 40 and 44. The link 46 is one element of theswitch blade operating mechanism indicated, generally, at 18 in Fig. l.This mechanism will now be described in detail in connection with Figs.2l0 and Figs. 16-19.

The link 46 carries on the right end a universal joint member 48comprising an internally threaded socket portion 50 which screws ontothe end of the link 46 and a pair of ears 5151 which fit over orstraddle the eye portion 52 of another universal link member 53. Thislatter member also has a pair of spaced apertured ears 54-54 whichstraddle or fit over the eye portion 55 of a crank arm 56 having severalintegral portions thereto. The universal link member 48 is pivotallyconnected to the link 53 by means of a pin 57 while the universal linkmember 53 is pivotally connected to the eye portion 55 of the crank arm56 by means of the pin 53.

The crank arm 56 is conveniently made in the form of a casting the shapeand construction of which are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 16 and 17. Thecrank 56 may be said to have a main body portion designated at 60 whichis curved as viewed in three directions. In plan view, as shown in Fig.2, it will be seen that the main body portion 60 is curved intermediatethe integrally formed eye 55 on one end and an integrally formed eye 61on the opposite end. Referring to Figs. 3 and 16 where the crank 56appears in side elevation, it will be seen that the arm portion 60 isupwardly curved from the eye 61 to the eye 55. In end elevation asviewed in Figs. 4 and 17, it will be seen that the crank 56, made up ofthe main portion 60 is also upwardly curved from the eye 61 to the eye55. In addition to the eyes 55 and 61, the crank arm 56 has integrallyformed thereon a projection 62 which is bifurcated so as to provideapertured ears 63-63 which receive therebetween the eye portion 64 of alink member 65 having a bifurcated portion providing a pair of spacedears 66-66 to which further reference will be made below.

For lightness in weight it will be seen that the arm 56 may be generallyhollow-shaped. It will be understood that instead of being in the formof one casting, the crank arm 56 may be formed in several pieces andsecured together as by welding, or bolts.

The eye portion 61 on the crank arm 56 fits over a crank shaft 67 (Fig.9). This shaft 67 projects at one end into a socket 68 integrally formedon the side of a receiver or swingable socket 70 (Fig. 20) whichreceives and holds the inner end of the switch blade 15. Thiscylindrical housing or socket 76 may be a part of a multi-part castingwhich also includes a rotary housing 71.

It will be seen from Figs. 2 and 9 that the eye portion 61 of the crank56 fits in between the protruding socket portion 68 and the adjacent orback side of the housing 71. In order to prevent relative movementbetween the crank arm 56 and the crank shaft 67, a pin 72 is providedwhich extends through both the shaft and the eye so as to lock themtogether. The shaft 67 also extends through an opening provided thereforin the rear wall of the housing 71 as shown in Fig. 9. On its outer end,the shaft 67 carries an arm 74, the eye 75 on the bottom of which fitsover the end of the shaft 67 and is pinned thereto by means of a pin 76.It will be seen that the crank arm 56, shaft 67, and arm 74 constitute arigidly interconnected assembly rotatable as a unit around thelongitudinal axis of the shaft 67.

The arm 74 serves as the support for a cam roller 77 (Figs. 3 and 10)which is rotatably mounted on a projection 78 on the front side. Theroller 77 operates or rolls in a cam track or cam slot 80 providedtherefor, in a cam plate 81. The formation or configuration of the camslot or track 80 will be described below. The cam plate 81 is secured bymeans of a pair of bolts 8282 (Figs. 3 and 9) onto a hub member 83 (Fig.9) which is secured onto the end of a stationary axle shaft 84 by a pin85. There is integrally formed on the left side of the hub 83 as viewedin the drawings a projecencased tron :86 (Figs. 9 "and .10) the outerend" of whieh is horizontal and provided with a vertical aperture forreceiving the threaded portion of an eye bolt 87 the upper end of whichis 'in the form of an integral eye 88 (Fig. 9)'. The eye is tapped forreceiving a bolt 90 projecting through the plate 81. A pair of nuts 91and 92 (Fig. 7) are carried on the threaded portion of the bolt 87 onopposite sides of the projection 86.

In order to provide for accurate adjustment of the position of the camplate 81 with respect to the hub portion 83 which is pinned to the shaft84, the holes in the 'cam plate 81 through which the bolts 82 projecthave a sloppy fit relative thereto. It will be seen that by looseningthese clamping bolts 82 and the nuts 91 .and 92, this sloppy fit can betaken advantage of and the plate 81 may be tilted and shifted slightlyin any direction. Once the desired adjustment has been obtained, thenuts 91 and 92 and the clamping bolts 82 'are tightened, therebysecuring the cam plate 81 in exactly the desired pesition on thesupporting hub 83.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the stationary shaft 84extends through an opening therefor in the rear Wall of the housing 71and into a boss 94 integrally formed therefor on the adjacent side ofthe cylinder 70. Still referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that theshaft 84 also passes through a journal 95, being one of two journals 95and 96 (Figs. 18 and 19) integrally formed on the frame casting 14. Theshaft 84 is pinned into the journal 95 by means of a pin designated at97, and since the journal 95 is stationary it will be seen that theshaft 84, hub 83 and the cam plate 81 are likewise all stationary orfixed members.

Since the disconnecting switches are normally mounted outdoors, therotary housing 71 is provided with a cover plate 98 which seals thehousing, keeping out dirt, snow, rain, ice, etc. and also preventsunauthorized access to the interior. The cover plate 98 is secured inplace by means of screws 100-100 extending through apertures provided inthe periphery of the plate 98 in alignment with tapped bosses 101 formedon the interior of the housing 71 (Fig. 9).

For a proper understanding of the functioning of the operating mechanism18 it is important to note that the housing 71 is integrally connectedto the cylindrical socket housing 70 by means of an interconnectingcurved web 102 as best shown in Fig. 20 and also in Figs. 2, 4, 16 and17. The cylindrical socket housing 70 is cradled or rotatably supportedin the frame casting 14 between the journals 95 and 96 as shown in Fig.2. The housing 70 has integrally formed thereon a hollow boss 103 inaxial alignment with the boss 94 whereby both of these bosses 94 and 103fit in between the journals 95 and 96 respectively. As described abovethe shaft 84 projects through the journal 95 into the opening providedtherefor in the boss 94 so as to serve as a trunnion for the adjacentside of the housing 70. In like manner a stub shaft 104 projects throughthe journal 96 and into the socket opening provided therefor in the boss103. The shaft 104 is preferably pinned to the journal 96 as by means ofa pin 105. In this way the inwardly projecting end of the stub shaft 104serves as a trunnion for the adjacent side of the housing 70. By meansof this arrangement it will be seen that the cylindrical socket housing70 is pivotally supported on the frame 14 for rotation about ahorizontal axis passing through journals 95 and 96, the hub portions 94and 103, and coaxial with the shafts 84 and 104.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4, 5, l6 and 17 for a description of themanner in which the switch blade.

is received and mounted in the cylindrical socket housing 70. Referringfirst to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the housing 70 is provided on'opposite ends with annular grooves 106 and 107 each of which serves asone race for a set of balls 108-108. Slidably fitting into the housing'70 from right to left is a cylindrical sleeve member 1 10. On its rightend '(as viewed iii Fig. 5) the sleeve 110 is provided with anintegrally formed, radially extending flange 111 which fits against theoutside of the adjacent balls 108 and serves to retain them in the trackgroove 107.

The sleeve member 110 projects from the left hand side of the housing asubstantial distance and it is externally threaded on the projectingportion so as to receive a large flanged nut 112, the flange 113 ofwhich is adjusted so as to fit against the outside of the balls 108. Bymeans of this arrangement it will be seen that the sleove is co-axiallysupponted within the housing 70 for easy rotation therein.

On the interior of the sleeve 110 from left to right the sleeve isprovided with four inwardly projecting circumferential ribs 114, 115,116 and 117. These ribs are accurately machined to receive the outerdiameter of the tubular blade 15 so that the blade may be slid throughthe sleeve 110 and supported therein at the four places along itslength. The blade 15 is locked into 'the's'leeve 110 by means of aclamping arrangement provided by a nut 118 (Fig. 17) which receives theinner end of a bolt 120. The bottom of the nut 118 is curved so as toconform to the inner surface of the blade 15 so as to prevent rotationand allow tightening of the bolt 120 from the outside.

The bolt 120 projects from the outside upwardly through an apertureprovided therefor in a clamping member or arm 121 an upper portion ofwhich is shaped to conform to the curvature of the exterior of thesleeve 110. On the left hand side of the clamping member 121, as viewedin Fig. 17, there is a projecting portion which provides a pair ofapertured ears 122-122 (Figs. 16 and 17) for receiving therebetween theeye portion 123 'of a universal link member having at the top anothereye 124 which fits between the spaced ears 66, previously mentioned. Theears 122 are pivotally connected to the eye portion 123 by means of apin 125 while the cars 66 are pivoted to the eye 124 by means of a pin126.

By means of the foregoing arrangement it will be seen that the bolt 120and nut 118 serve not only to fasten the switch blade 15 to the sleeve110 but also to connect the clamping member 121 to the sleeve 110whereby it may be interconnected through the two universal links orjoints to the crank arm 56.

For ease of operation in lifting the switch blade 15 from the horizontalposition to the vertically raised posi tion, it is desirable to providecounterbalance means. While various types of such means could be used, aconvenient one comprises a compression spring 127 (Fig. 6) housed in atubular casing 128, closed at one end by means of an apertured end wall130 and at the other by means of a screwed-on cap 131. The cap 131 has apair of spaced ears 132 projecting therefrom which receive therebetweenan eye 133 integrally formed on a bracket member 134. The eye 133 andthe ears 132 are apertured and a connecting pin 135 extending there-'through serves to pivotally connect the casing 128to the bracket 134.In order to compress the spring 127 a plunger 136 is provided carried onthe right hand end of a connecting rod 137 which extends through theleft end of the casing 128 and is provided with a bifurcated end member138. The eye 140 of a bracket member 141 fits in between the oppositesides of the member 138 and the same are pivotally joined together bymeans of a pin 142 extending therethrough.

Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the bracket member 134 isbolted to the side of the cylindrical socket housing 70 by means of apair' of bolts 143. Similarly the bracket 141 is bolted to the left endof the frame casting 14 by means of a pair of bolts 144 which extendthrough bolt holes 45 (Fig. 19) provided therefor. When the switch blade15 is in the horizontal and closed position, the distance between thebrackets 134 and 141 is at a maximum with the result that the plunger136 holds the spring 127 in compression as indicated by the position ofthe plunger 136, in Fig. 7. As will be explained in greater detailbelow, when the operating mechanism 18 is actuated so that the switchblade is turned or raised into its vertical position (Fig. 8), thedistance between the bracket 134 and the bracket 141 is at a minimum sothat pressure on the spring 127 is relieved with the spring force beingused to help lift (i.e. counterbalance) the weight of the blade 15.

Referring to Figs. 18 and 19, it will be seen that the frame casting 14,at its right hand, is provided with an integrally formed circularmounting base 146 which serves to support the frame on the top of theupper insulator in the insulator stack 7 as shown in Fig. l.Immediatelyto the right of the mounting base 46 the frame is providedwith an integrally formed portion 147 which is hollow and reinforced onthe underside by integral cross webs 148, and an integrally formedtransverse portion 150 which is provided at the center with a verticalaperture 151 for receiving one of the bolts 152 (Figs. 2 and 3) used inmounting the frame on top of the insulator stack 7.

The vertical sides of the end portion 147 are provided with apertures153153 which are tapped for receiving screws or bolts 154 (Fig. 2) bymeans of which two female contact assemblies 155 and 156 may be securedon the end of the frame casting 14. The assembly 155 is made up of acontact bar 155a, a leaf spring 155b, and shorter leaf spring 1550.Similarly, the contact assembly 156 consists of a contact bar 156a, aleaf spring 156b, and a shorter leaf spring 1560. These contactassemblies 155 and 156 are provided with a series of slots 157 extendingclear through each as shown in Fig. 3 so as to in effect provide themultiplicity of spring fingers which yieldably receive therebetween theadjacent portion of the switch blade 15 when this is in the horizontalposition, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 3 and 21, the back upsprings 155b and 156b are provided with rivet buttons 169-169 forapplying spring pressure to the upper ends of the spring fingers formedin the contact bars 155a and 156a. The latter bars are provided withsilver inlays 179179 for engaging opposite sides of the blade 15.

For a description of the front contact assembly, indicated generally, at16 in Fig. 1, reference may now be had to Figs. 1l-15. As previouslymentioned, the switch blade 15 has a flat end portion which constitutesa male contact 158 having silver inlays 159 which in closed conditionfit wedgedly in between a pair of spaced female contact members 160 and161.

The female contact members 160 and 161 have, at the top, outwardlyturned horizontal attaching portions 162 and 163, respectively, each ofwhich is provided with four holes by which it may be secured tohorizontal mounting ledges 164 and 165, respectively. Screws 166166 and167167 are used to secure the contacts in place. The contacts 160 and161 are provided with vertical portions 168 and 170, respectively, thesebeing slotted, as indicated at 171 so as to provide flexible fingerportions providing greater resiliency.

The horizontal mounting ledges 164 and 165 for supporting the contacts160 and 161, are integrally formed at the top of the side portions 172and 173, forming parts of a front clip casting designated generally at174. This casting 174 has a circular base 175 for mounting on the topinsulator of the front stack 8 as shown in Fig. l. Projecting from thefront or right hand side of the circular base 175 is a lug 176 whichserves as a support for an arcing horn 177 of known type. Thiscooperates with a horizontal arcing horn 178 which projects from the tipend of the flat male contact 158. Such arcing horns are known in thistype of a disconnecting switch and therefore do not require furtherdescription. On the interior, the vertical side portions 172 and 173 areeach provided a row of four inwardly projecting pro,- tuberances 180180and 181-181, respectively. These serve to locate and support sets ofcompression springs 182 and 183, respectively, which bear against backsides of the contact members 168 and opposite the silver inlays 159 ofthe flat male contact 158, as shown in Fig. 13. Preferably each of theprotuberances and 181 is provided with a washer 189 (Figs. 13 and 14)formed of insulation at the rear of each spring 182 and 183. The washers189 provide insulation at the lines of pressure between the springs andthe casting.

On the left hand portion of the casting 174, as viewed in Figs. 11 and12, there are two upstanding switch blade guiding projections 184 and185 (Figs. 13, 14 and 15), these being outwardly curved on their upperends so as to provide for easy entry and guidance of the tip end of theswitch blade 15 into place as it is lowered between the female contacts160 and 161. Beneath each integrally formed horn 184 and 185 there is aguiding edge 187 and 186 respectively. The guiding edge 187 below theguide 184 is slanted toward the center line as shown. This inclinedportion 187 is abruptly terminated just above the axis of the blade 15so as to provide an overhang or catch 188 which serves as a stop forengagement by the fiat male contact 158, as shown in Fig. 13.

It will be seen that by having the guiding edge 186 slope away from thecenterline, clearance is provided so that the silver inlays 159 on theends or sides of the male contact 158 may wedgingly engage the femalecontacts 168 and 170 without interference.

A stop 190 is provided beneath the guidance edges 186 and 187 andextends crosswise therebetween so as to serve as a stop to limit thedownward movement of the switch blade 15.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12 it will be seen that the casting 174 hasintegrally formed on the right hand side thereof a platform portion 191provided with four apertures 192 through which cable or conductorterminals may be connected in known manner.

The current path through the disconnecting switch is as follows: First,starting at the left end of the frame casting 14 at the terminalplatform 193, and assuming that the switch is in the closed position asshown in Fig. l, the current path may be considered as entering the leftend of the casting 14 and flowing to the right therethrough up to thestationary hinge contacts 17. The current path continues upwardlythrough these contacts to the blade 15, and then through the blade 15 tothe fiat male contact 158 on the outer or tip end thereof. The currentpath then enters from the silver inlays 159 of the male contact 158 intothe female contacts 170 and 171 and flows upwardly as indicated by thearrows in Figs. 12 and 13. At the tops of the contacts 170 and 171 thepath then extends to the right through the horizontal mounting ledges164 and 165 and downwardly through the casting 174 around the downwardlycurved nose portion 193 to the platform 191. It will be understood thatdirection of current flow changes each cycle, but the flow path is thesame. By having the female contacts 170 and 171 mounted so that theyhang down or are inverted, instead of being turned up, and by having thecurrent path through the front contact assembly 16 generally in the formof an inverted loop, a magnetic locking effect is obtained. That is, themagnetic forces created due to current flow are of such direction as topush the blade 15 down against the stop 190. The magnetic forces cantherefore be utilized to force the switch blade 15 into the closedposition rather than to blow it out to the open position.

It is a known expedient in this art to design a contact assembly so thatthe current flow path is such that magnetic forces created during highmomentary loads tend to close, rather than open, disconnecting switches.However, in the present design this magnetic locking effect combineswith other locking actions built into the design 1 Y 9 so as to producean unusually large total locking effect for resisting high valuemomentary currents.

'Since the rating of a disconnecting switch is primarily based upon itsability to handle high momentary loads or surges, it will be seen thatthe total locking effect becomes a very important factor. In thisconnection, it has been well established that as long as all relativemovement (in anydirection) between a pair of contacts is prevented, thecontacts are able to handle very much larger loads than if even a slightamount of relative movement is permitted. It seems that if there is evenanyslight movement permitted, in effect, an avalanche of current isunloosed. However, if no movement is permitted at all, then very highmomentaryloads can be handled.

It the disconnecting switch described above in connection with thedrawings, there is a cumulative three-fold locking effect available tohandle and cope with high value momentary currents that exist fromthetime ashort circuit originates until it is. cleared by the openingof acircuit interrupting device. As already mentioned, the locking actiondue to magnetic forces tends to hold the switch blade 15 firmly downagainst the stop 190 and thereby all relative movement of the switchblade in a downward direction is eliminated.

The blade 15 in the closed position is locked against lifting by twocombining locking actions. All tendency of the blade 15 simply to liftstraight out of the contacts 168 and 170 is effectively resisted by thestop or catch 188 so long as the blade 15 is prevented from rotating. Itis positively locked against rotation through the actuating linkage byhaving the arm 20 (Figs. 2 and 3) afew degrees (e.g. 5 over-center orover-toggle. when the blade is locked. Therefore, any reaction from theblade transmitted through the linkage which would tend to cause rotationis prevented by reason of this over-toggle or overc'enter condition. 7

Therefore, it will be seen from the above that once the blade is in thelowered and locked position, there is a three-fold locking actionpresent. First, the rigid stop 191i) prevents any downward movement ofthe blade 15. Second,-the catch 188 prevents any upward movement of theswitch blade 15. Third, the over-toggle or over-center position of thearm prevents any notation of the switch blade 15. The magnetic forcesalso serve to'force the blade 15 down, as explained. In other words, theblade is locked against the downward, upward, or rotary-movemerit, thesebeing the only relative movements possible between the contact 158 andthe female contacts 168 and 170.

In operation: Assuming that the circuit in which the disconnectingswitch is located has been broken or interrupted by other known means(e-.g. an oil circuitbreaker), and it is desired to open or disconnectthe switch from the closed position shown in Fig. 1. This is done byrotating the insulator stack 6 as by cranking action on the downwardlyprojecting end 13 (Fig. 1), As mentioned above, it is usual to operatethree disconnecting switches at the same timeso that there will usuallybe three insulator stacks corresponding to stack 6 which are rotated atthe same time. Rotation of each stack 6 produces a clockwi's'erotationof the arm 20 as viewed in Fig. 2. As mentioned above the extent ofrotation of this arm 20 is approximately 110, starting at approximately5 over the center line of the switch as viewed in Fig. 2. It will beseenthat rotation of the arm 20 exerts a leftward pulling action on thelink 46, through the universal joint construction interconnecting theadjacent ends thereof.

Upon being pulled to the left as viewed in Fig. 3, the link 10 it tendsto 'rotate'the interconnected unit comprising the crank arm 5'6,'the"shaft 67 and the cam arm 74 about the axis of the shaft 67. Second, ittends to swing the cylindrical socket housing 70 upwardly and rotatetherewith 'the housing 71 integrally connected thereto.

The right hand portion of the cam track 8%, and particularlythe'surface' designated at A in Fig. 7 is so located and shaped that atthis point in the operation only the first type of rotation ispermitted, the second being prevented 'or blocked by the cam follower 77engaging against the cam surface A having an arcuate length ofapproximately 30. As the crank arm rotates on with the shaft 67 whilethe housing 71 and the cylindrical housing 70 remain'stati'onary, itwill be seen that the projection 62 on the crank arm 56 delivers anupward pull on the linkage interconnected with the clamping member 121.This produces a clockwise rotation ofthe switch blade 15 and the sleeveas viewed in Fig. 17. The extent of this coaxial rotation of the blade15 is 'suflicienfto turn the male contact 158 from its horizontal lockedposition'shown in Fig. 13 to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 13 tothe unlocked position shown in Fig. 14. 7

When the cam roller 77 reaches the end of the first portion of the camtrack and the end of the cam surface A as shown in Fig. 7, it enters theleft hand portion and the'c'am roller 77 and now presses against andruns over a cam surface designated as B. This surface B is so shapedthatit does not permit any further rotation of the unit comprising thecrank'arm 56, the shaft 67 and the cam arni7'4 relative'to the'housing71. Accordingly, there can be no more rotation of the switch blade 15wl'ienthe cam rollen leaves the surface A and engages to the surface B.However, the cam surface B is so shaped that it allows the second typeof rotation to occur. Thatis, the rotation of the housing 71 and thelifting of the cylindrical socket housing 70 on its pivot support in theframe "casting 14. Accordingly, the switch blade '15 lifts'totheverticalpositio'n as shown in Fig. 8, with the aid of the counterbalance128.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the rotation of the'switchblade 15 about its longitudinal axis which produces theunlocking of theother contacts is isolated, separated and entirely independent from thelifting action of the switch blade. Conversely, during the lifting of.the Switchblade 15 no "rotation of the blade about its longitudinalaxis can take place.

I When'it is desired to close the disconnecting switch then theinsulator stack 6 is rotated in the opposite direction so as to rotatethe arm 20 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. Itwill be seen that during the closingjof the switch the reverse actiontakes place from that described above. That is, the cam roller 77engages the 'carn'surface B which permits only swinging or loweringmovement of the blade 15 but no coaxial rotation. When the cam roller 77reachesthe junction between the'two cam tract sections A and B theswitch blade 15 will have reachedits horizontal position engaging thfe'stop and further lowering action will beipreventedbythe'stop190 as'wellas the cam track portion A. The pushing of the link 46 toward the rightafter theniechanismhas reached the condition shown in Fig. 7 permitsonly th'e 'rotati'on of the crank arm 56 which actiiigthrough thelinkage interconnected with the sleeve produces rotation 'of the blade15 about its longitudinal axis back into the locked position shown inFig. 13.

Thecamslot 80 is of such length that when the roller or follower 77 isat 'either'extremity of its path it will be spaced from the ends of theslot as shown in Figs. 3 and- 8.

"It will be appreciated that the switch, instead of beinghor'i'z'b'ntally mounted as shown in Fig. 1 could be vertiihcurited inwhich case the switch blade 15 would he in the horizontal position whenopen.

Since numerous changes of a-detail nature may be made in thedisconnecting switch construction described above and shown in theaccompanying drawings, while still retaining the principles of operationand without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it isintended that the foregoing disclosure of a presently preferredembodiment of the invention shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a disconnecting switch of the type described having an elongatedswitch blade which in operation of said switch first rotates about alongitudinal axis and then swings around a transverse axis adjacent itsrear end during opening and first swings around said transverse axis andthen rotates about said longitudinal axis during closing, a switch bladeoperating mechanism comprising, in combination, receiver means forreceiving and supporting the rear end of said blade for rotation about alongitudinal axis, support means for said receiver means whereby it isswingable around said transverse axis, linkage means interconnected withsaid receiver means and said switch blade and operable both to rotatesaid blade about said longitudinal axis and to swing said support meansand blade about said transverse axis, cam means operably connected withsaid linkage means whereby rotation about said longitudinal axis issegregated from swinging about said transverse axis, said linkage meansbeing under tension as it produces said rotation and swinging of saidblade in one direction of operation and being under compression as itproduces said rotation and swinging of said blade in the other directionof operation.

2. In a disconnecting switch of the type described having an elongatedswitch blade which in operation of said switch first rotates about itslongitudinal axis and then swings in a vertical plane around atransverse axis adjacent its rear end during opening and which reversesthese movements in closing, a switch blade operating mechanismcomprising, in combination, a swingable socket having bearing means forreceiving and supporting the rear end of said switch blade for rotationabout its longitudinal axis, frame means having bearing means forsupporting said socket whereby it is swingable around said transverseaxis, linkage means operably interconnected with said socket and therear end of said blade operable under tension to rotate said blade aboutits longitudinal axis and swing said socket and blade around saidtransverse axis during opening and then under compression as thesemovements are reversed during closing, cam means comprising a cam andcam follower one of which is stationary and the other movable, means foroperably connecting the movable cam member to said linkage means, saidcam having two sections one of which permits rotation of said bladeabout its longitudinal axis and prevents it from swinging about saidtransverse axis, and the other of which permits swinging of said bladeabout said transverse axis and prevents it from rotating about itslongitudinal axis.

3. In a disconnecting switch of the type described having an elongatedswitch blade which in operation of said switch rotates about itslongitudinal axis and swings in a vertical plane around a transverseaxis adjacent its rear end, a switch blade operating mechanismcomprising, in combination, a swingable socket having bearing means forreceiving and supporting the rear end of said switch blade for rotationabout its longitudinal axis, frame means having bearing means forsupporting said socket whereby it is swingable around said transverseaxis, a rotary housing connected to said socket on one side thereof androtatable on a support shaft the axis of which coincides with saidtransverse axis, a cam track providing member stationarily mounted onsaid shaft within said housing, a crank shaft parallel to said supportshaft and extending into said rotary housing, a crank arm fixed to saidcrank shaft on the outside of said housing.

a cam follower arm fixed on said crank shaft within said housing, a camfollower mounted on said arm for opera tive engagement with said camtrack, linkage means operatively interconnecting said crank arm withsaid switch blade whereby rotation of said crank arm rotates said shaftabout its longitudinal axis, said cam track having one section followedby said cam follower which permits said crank shaft, cam follower armand crank arm to rotate while preventing said rotary housing and socketfrom moving, and said cam track having a second section followed by saidcam follower which permits said rotary housing to rotate and said socketto swing on said transverse axis while preventing rotation of said crankshaft.

4. In a switch blade operating mechanism called for in claim 3, said camtrack providing member comprising a plate having a slot whichconstitutes the cam track, and said cam follower being a roller operablein said slot.

5. In the switch blade operating mechanism called for in claim 3, saidlinkage means comprising, an arm clamped to said switch blade andprojecting to one side thereof, and a universal joint one member ofwhich is connected to said crank arm and the other member of which isconnected to said arm clamped to the switch blade.

6. In the switch blade operating mechanism called for in claim 3, saidbearing means for receiving and supporting the rear end of said switchblade comprising, a sleeve member co-axially disposed within said socketwhich receives the switch blade, and bearings at opposite ends of saidsocket in which said sleeve is rotatably supported in said socket.

7. In adisconnecting switch of the type described having a rotatableinsulator stack, a rear stationary insulator stack adjacent saidrotatable insulator stack, a front stationary insulator stack in lineWith said other two insulator stacks and spaced from said rearstationary stack on the same side of said rotary insulator stack, aframe member jointly supported on said rotary insulator stack and saidrear stationary insulator stack, a switch blade operating mechanismmounted on said frame member, an operating arm mounted on said rotaryinsulator stack for operating said switch blade operating mechanism, aswitch blade the rear end of which is operably supported by saidoperating mechanism and which in operation rotates about itslongitudinal axis and swings in a vertical plane around a transverseaxis adjacent its rear end, a Hat male contact on the front end of saidswitch blade, front female contact means mounted on said frontstationary insulator stack for lockably receiving said male contact,rear female contact means mounted on said frame member so as to receivetherein in closed circuit conducting relationship said switch blade at aplace adjacent its rear end, and counter balance means for assisting inthe raising and lowering of said switch blade: said switch bladeoperating mechanism compris ing, a swingable socket, a sleeve memberco-axially disposed within said socket and over the rear end of saidswitch blade, bearings rotatably supporting said sleeve in said socket,bearing means for supporting said socket on said frame member wherebysaid socket is swingable about said transverse axis, a rotary housingconnected to said socket on one side thereof and rotatable on a supportshaft the axis of which coincides with said transverse axis, a cam platehaving a cam track in the form of a two section slot stationarilymounted on said support shaft within said housing, a crank shaftparallel to said support shaft and extending into said rotary housing, acrank arm fixed to said crank shaft on the outside of said housing, acam follower arm fixed on said crank shaft within said housing, a camfollower mounted on said arm for guided travel within said cam slot, anarm clamped to said switch blade and projecting to the side thereof, anda universal joint one member of which is connected to said crank arm andthe other member of which is connected to said projecting arm, onesection of said cam slot permitting said crank shaft, cam follower armand crank arm to turn and rotate said switch blade while preventing saidrotary housing and socket from swinging, and the other section of saidcam slot permitting said rotary housing and said socket to rotate andswing on said transverse axis thereby swinging said switch blade whilepreventing turning of said crank shaft; said female contact meanscomprising a casting providing a mounting base, a pair of spaced sideportions having inwardly turned horizontal ledges formed on the tops forsupporting therebetween from the top a pair of depending femalecontacts, a platform on the front at least as low as said male contact,a web portion at the rear interconnecting said side members adjacent thebottoms thereof and serving as a stop for limiting downward motion ofsaid switch blade, and spaced upstanding guides for guiding the frontend of said blade formed at the rear of said casting including outwardlyturned horns at the top projecting above said ledges, with one of saidguides having a guiding edge which slopes downwardly and inwardly to anoverhang which is level with the top of said male contact when in itshorizontal locked position and serving as an upper stop therefor, andwith the guiding edges of both of said guides being bowed inwardlyinside of the upper inner surfaces of said female contact for protectingthe same and being disposed outwardly beyond the lower inner surfaces ofsaid female contacts below said overhang so as not to interfere withengagement of said contacts by said flat male contact; linkage meansinterconnecting said operating arm mounted on said rotary insulatorstack with said crank arm comprising a link member, and universal jointssecured to each end thereof the outer end of one universal joint beingconnected to said operating arm and the outer end of the other universaljoint being connected to said crank arm; said operating arm being in anover-toggle or over-center position when said switch blade is down androtated to its closed position, and stop means limiting said over-centeror over-toggle position. 1

8. In a disconnecting switch of the type described having a frontinsulator stack, an elongated switch blade 4 which in operation of saidswitch rotates about its longitudinal axis and swings around atransverse axis adjacent its rear end, said rotation and swingingmovements not being simultaneous and not overlapping, said switch bladehaving a flat male contact on the front end thereof, female contactmeans mounted on said front insulator stack for lockably receiving saidmale contact in closed current conducting relationship, comprising amounting base, a pair of side members having inward- 1y turned parallelledges formed on the tops thereof, a pair of female contacts havingout-turned mounting flanges formed on the tops thereof by which each maybe downwardly hung from one of said parallel ledges on the inner side ofthe adjacent side member, and a platform for terminal connectionssupported from the fronts of said side members at a level below saidledges whereby current flowing between said male contact and saidplatform follows a path generally in the form of an inverted loop, saidmounting base, side members, ledges and platform being provided by anintegral casting, having at the rear a web portion interconnecting saidside members adjacent the bottoms thereof and serving as a stop forlimiting downward motion of said switch blade, and having spaced guidesfor the outer end of said blade formed at the rear including outwardlyturned horns at the top projecting above said ledges, with one of saidguides having a guiding edge which slopes downwardly and inwardly to anoverhang the underside of which constitutes a stop for said malecontact, and with the guiding edges of both of said guides bowedinwardly inside of the upper inner surfaces of said female contacts forprotecting the same and being disposed outwardly beyond the lower innersurfaces of said female contacts so as not to interfere with engagementof said contacts by said flat male contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,554,824 Graybill May 29, 1951 2,697,144 Owens Dec. 14, 1954 2,818,474Gussow Dec. 31, 1957

